Leon Gallery with Museum of Contemporary Art and Design

Leon Gallery is specialized in collecting important museum quality and historical pieces of work which is also the premier auction house for fine art, antiques, heirloom furniture and historical memorabilia

This would be in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Arts and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

This would fund the future project to raise funds for its academic endeavors in modernizing its programs in terms of research and artistic exchanges in the contemporary visual arts.

On sale is an important work by National Artist Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco. It is considered as one of the ﬁnest masterpieces made by the artist in his lifetime and was once owed by Lovina-Palileo family. “The Nose Flute” (1955) depicted a courtship ritual of two lovers in the context of the Cordilleras.

“Pila sa Bigas (Queuing for Rice)” which is a mixed-media work by Vicente Manansala. It features 17 ordinary folks all lined up and with tin cans waiting for their turn to buy or maybe even ask for rice.

Historically important documents such as the “Decalogue” or Ten Commandments of the Katipunan which was handwritten by Andres Bonifacio will also be included in the auction. A letter from Josephine Bracken to El Presidente Emilio Aguinaldo plus a letter from National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal to the Scottish millionaire based in the Philippines, Mr. Alejandro Macleod, whom he personally thanked for giving shelter to his sisters, Lucia and Trinidad.

Antique furniture like Master Eduardo Ah-Tay and his Binondo workshop, known for their impeccable workmanship and meticulously detailed carvings of Filipino and Chinese motifs are highlights in this sale.

A signiﬁcant piece is a four-poster Ah-Tay bed commissioned by the Pardo do Tavera Family, one of the most affluent families in the 19th century. Also included is a pair of estilo Louis Quinzearm chairs done in the third quarter of the 19th century also done by Ah-Tay.

One of the gems of this auction is a kamagong cabinet crafted in the second quarter of the 19th century from the estate of Dr. Jose Fernandez Fabella, one of the pioneers of modern Philippine healthcare system and the Secretary of Health in Quezon’s cabinet. This cabinet was carved with ﬁne inlays of carabao bone and actuated on its top with urn-like finials, which have been lined with silver and lanite. Important furniture featured from the collection of Dr. Alejandro Roces Legarda is also on offer. A secretary desk (better known as an escritorio) drawn from the Edwardian-style of the 20th century that has been created from narra.

Some of the noted works around that is really worth visiting.

I got also to visit Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) partner with Leon Gallery.

This museum is part of the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde which is a free, not-for-profit institution that delivers programming and content that encourages engagement with art and culture, its practice and production, as well as its presentation and interpretation.

By fostering partnerships with a range of arts and cultural institutions, the past four years has seen MCAD’s programming advance rapidly. Very much aware of its contribution to local art making and its expanding role in the region, MCAD remains reflexive and responsive to changes in society, politics and the production of ideas.

As they celebrate their 10th year anniversary, fundraiser will consist of a group show made up of work donated by eminent local, regional and international artists, many of whom have been part of MCAD exhibitions and others who are supportive of its initiatives and vision.

MCAD also accepts charitable, tax deductible donations and in-kind sponsorship. By supporting MCAD, you will be part of the Museum’s future, a future peopled by creative minds and a visionary outlook.

It was also kinda reunion for fellow roadtrippers.

For the full details of each work for sale, visit: https://leon-gallery.com/auctions.

Full auction catalogue is available for free from Leon Gallery, Corinthian Plaza exhibition space or via mail order.

To make a gift, please contact: mcad@benilde.edu.ph or call +63 02 2305100 loc.3897.